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Senator Escudero defends Duterte's martial law

MANILA, June 5 -- Sen. Francis Escudero on Monday said that he did not agree with the House independent minority bloc's stand that Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao has no basis.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman and other members of the bloc earlier went to the Supreme Court to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration noting that it was “bereft of sufficient factual basis ”and should be “nullified.”

"...Personally, hindi ako sumasang-ayon sa kanilang petisyon na walang basehan ang pagdeklara ng Martial Law dahil dalawa lang naman ang batayan nito sa Saligang Batas (Personally, I do not agree with their petition that there is no basis to declare martial law because there are only two bases to declare it in the Constitution)," Escudero said in an interview with reporters.

“Meron rebelyon at public safety requires it. Sa pananaw at palagay ko, base sa report ng pangulo, base sa briefing na ibinigay sa amin rat base sa napapanood namin sa coverage ng media, itong dalawang requirement na ito ay present at makikita sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon (There is rebellion and public safety requires it. I think, based on the report of the President, based on the briefing given to us and based on media coverage, these two requirements are present and can be found in the current situation),” he added.

He, however, said that it was still the prerogative and right of the minority bloc senators to question the declaration at the Supreme Court.

The senator also shrugged off critics saying that the military and police failed as it did not meet its target of taking only a week to clear Marawi City of militants.